Pipe bore scraping scoop



Patented June 18, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,402,314 PIPE BORE SCRAPING SCOOP I Hubert R. Crane, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application October 2, 1944, Serial No. 556,873

Claims. (01. 15 104.30) I This discovery is an improvement in apparatus for Scraping and cleaning bores of pipes, sewers, culverts and divers other forms of conduits.

It is an object of this concept or invention to provide a bore cleaning tool having the dual functions of both wall scraping and sand scooping during a forward draft action in the given bore.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rugged and effective scoop of a discal structure whose rim is provided with means to prevent the edge of the working scoop lodging in conduit joints; that is to provide the scoop with a joint riding means.

lAnother object of the invention is to provide a draft scoop apparatus with a toggle mechanism for efficiently advancing the scoop in work operation and, for bringing the scoop to an effective upright position regardless of its haphazard rotational position in the pipe bore, and whereby to reliably retract the scoop in such cases as may preclude any further forward advance in the bore to be cleaned.

It is an object of the invention to provide a superior rather than a cheap, unreliable and structurally insecure tool of this important class.

The invention consists of certain advancements' in this art as set forth in the ensuing text and having, with the above, additional objects and advantages as hereinafter developed, and whose construction, combinations and details of means and the manner of operation will be made manifest in the following specification of the herewith illustrative embodiment; it being understood th'at modifications, variations and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, spirit and principle of the invention as it is more directly claimed herein presently.

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned, side elevation of the tool in situ in a bore to be cleaned and showing the linkage upside down but still effective to erect the scoop.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tool with the linkage top side up and in a retracting position of the scoop.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the concave face of the bowl-like scoop; certain draft parts being in cross-section.

In the tool assembly shown a draft bar 2, of non-circular cross-section centrally pierces a discal, bowl shaped, scoop member 3 having a short radial window 4 for limited radial shift of the scoop from a perpendicular or upright position, Fig. 1, to a tilted or retracting position, Fig. 2. In upright position the scoop is sustained at the rear by a back stop lug 5 fixed on the bar whilst a lip 6 hauls forwardly against a stop screw 1 in the bar.

A feature of the scoop is the provision of an annular series of radial blades 8 cast on the front face of the scoop and projecting forwardly from its margin whereby to keep the thin edge-of the scoop, which has a scraping function in a relative bore, from dropping into transverse joint crevices incidental to pipe lines.

This tool is designed to be effectively operated in pipe bores to scrape up and pull out obstructing material collecting therein and means are included for the reliable setting up or the tilting down of the scoop 3 as given bores and operations may need.

To advance the scoop there is connected to the front end of the bar 2 a stout link device ill to swing on pivot H and from the outer ends of the link I!) is pivotally extended a strong and longer link 12 which is pivoted at 13 to a margin of the scoop radially outward from the window 4. To the pivot joint M of these links Ill-l2 there is connected a clevis l5 for attachment of any desired hauling-in cable or other apparatus l6. This linkage may be called the hauling-in toggle.

In'case the scoop becomes so jammed in the pipe bore under debris load or from other cause that it cannot be advanced furth'er by the hauling cable It, the present tool is provided with a pullback or retracting toggle means including a long link l8 pivoted a-t l9 to the margin of the scoop on the side face opposite to the pivot 13. The opposite end of the link I8 is pivotally connected at 20 to the near end of a shorter link device 2| which is pivoted at 22 to the rear end of the draft bar 2. To this toggle set there is hitched on the joint pivot 20 a draft clevis 23 to which is attached a retracting cable or other apparatus 24.

In operation of the tool the hauling-in cable I6 is first rove through the pipe bore and then the tool mechanism is thereby pulled into the pipe to scrape it and gather and scoop out the dirt. During this pulling in action the toggle link III is pulled into axial line with the bar 2 and the relative link I2 shifts forward and pulls the scoop 3 to a position perpendicular to the bar as in Fig. 1. The toggle Ill-I 2 effectually brings the scoop to the scraping position regardless of the indeterminate position of the link system about the axi of the bore and draft bar, and even though the scoop beupside down, as in Fig. 1. It will be seen that the draft bar 2, the link ill, the clevis i5 and the hauling-in cable are substantially coaxial under loading and haul tension, and the link I2 is in such position as to set the scoop vertical.

In event forward advance of the scoop is wholly prevented then the tension is transferred to the rear cable 24 (the cable [6 now being slacked up) and the clevis 23 will pull the toggle link 2| to a position about coaxial with the bar 2, and, by way of the pulled back link l8, will tilt the scoop 3 to a collapsed position on the bar, as in Fig. 2. This presents the convex face of the scoop at such an angle in the pipe bore that the cable 24 may successfully drag back and out the whole tool.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for scraping and scooping bores including a draft bar, a discal scraping and scooping member having a radial eye in which the bar may independently reciprocate and the said member being movable between an upright and a tilted position on the bar and non-rotative relative thereto, means connected to one end of the bar and to the rim margin of the member for pulling the latter to its upright position, and means connected to the opposite end of the bar and to the member for tilting the latter to a relatively collapsed position on the bar; the pulling up means including a link pivoted at one of its ends on the relative end of the bar, a link connected at one of its ends to said discal member and at its other end to the first link, and a draft apparatus connected to the first link whereby to pull it into substantial alinement with the bar and by the second link pull the said member upright on the bar.

2. A device for scraping and scooping bores including a combination as in claim 1, and said apparatus being hitched to the joint connecting the links.

3. A scraping and scooping tool including a draft bar, a scoop member tiltably mounted on the bar and having limited, free sliding capacity thereon, and means operated by tension in one direction to tilt the member to a collapsed position and on tension in the opposite direction to set the member upright on the bar; said means including links hinged to ends of the bar and second links connecting the first links and the said member at a common lateral portion thereof, and draft apparatus connected to and for pulling the end links in opposite directions alternately whereby to set up or to tilt down the member by pulling action on the second links.

4. A scraping and scooping tool including a draft bar, a scoop member non-turnably but movably mounted on the bar, means to stop the member at upright position on the bar, and twoway toggles for operating the said member, and connected thereto and to the bar; said toggles including, each, a short link pivoted on the rel ative end portion of the bar, a long link connected to the short link and to an off-center portion of the scoop, and hitches connecting to the short links to swing them on their bar pivots and thereby set u or tilt down said member.

5. A bore scooping tool including a draft bar, a scoop member operatively mounted on the bar, links hitched on the bar at points beyond opposite side faces of the member and second links pivoted on the outer ends of the first links and connected to a common marginal portion of the member, and reverse draft tension devices connected to the sets of links for swinging the first links and thereby setting up or tilting down the scoop.

HUBERT R. CRANE. 

